Tainted Melodies (Ciudad de Escalante #5)

Phase 08

"I'm glad you didn't become the vocalist."

In my two-year journey as a member of a band or even in my whole eighteen years of existence, this is the first time I received such a statement like that. People always give me compliments that keep me moving forward whenever they have a chance to hear me sing. Alam kong hindi pa ako masyadong magaling pero may kaya naman akong patunayan.

Alexius' mouth is really odd.

He's happy, huh? Dahil kapag ako ang bokalista, magkakande-leche leche ang banda ganoon ba? I have the potential but it's not yet good enough. I'm pretty aware of that. Kaya nga ako nagpa-practice lagi 'di ba?

"Anong kailangan ikasaya roon?" I ridiculously asked Alexius and faced him.

Seryoso akong bumaling sa kanya para ipahiwatig na hindi ko nagustuhan ang sinabi niya. Hindi bumaba ang tingin ko sa kanyang katawan at pinanatili lamang sa kanyang mata para makaiwas sa distraksiyon.

"Being in a band doesn't suits you," aniya kaya natigilan ako.

Wow. I didn't expect that again. Hindi na nga pwede maging bokalista, maging miyembro pa ng banda? Another statement that I never also heard where all coming from that offensive mouth of his.

"You should perform solo. People can watch you all day," he continued, flashing a smile that gave me a vague answer if I should take it as a compliment or he's just simply being playful again. But before I could speak as a rebuttal, a ringtone successfully helped me divert my attention to him.

Kinuha ko ang aking cellphone sa bulsa. The caller was from the messenger. Inilayo ko kaagad ang aking cellphone kay Alexius na nakataas ang kilay habang nakikitingin kung sino ang tumatawag.

Alam naman niya siguro ang salitang privacy? But maybe he doesn't. Kung alam niya, dapat hindi na niya binasa ang love letter ko.

"Hello, is this Solaire Ferguson?"

That was the first question I heard from Vejah. Naglakad ako palayo at pumwesto sa may sulok ng music room. I took a glance at Alexius who's just watching me.

"Yes, this is her, speaking..." I answered and turned my back to focus on this phone call.

"My friend told me you found my purse. I wanna say thank you. Ilang araw ko na rin kasing hinahanap. But I just want to ask a question," she said softly on the other line.

"Ako nga po ang nakapulot. Nahulog niyo po sa restroom sa may Road Meals Republic. The foodpark near the —"

"Yeah, I know. I've been that place to meet my boyfriend," pagpapagitna niya sa sinasabi ko.

Boyfriend? So Alexius is her boyfriend? What an ultimate flirt. Tapos sasabihin niya gusto niya ako at nanghalik pa kung may kasintahan naman pala. Tsk. Gumilid ako ng bahagya para tingnan ang lalaking narito lang kasama ko. My eyebrows creased when he's not here anymore.

Baka lumabas na?

"Hmm, about what's inside my purse. Nandito naman lahat ng cards ko at walang nabawas na cash. But something is missing. Have you noticed a black flashdrive? Alam ko kasi dito ko lang talaga iyon tinago..."

I paused.

Black flash drive...

"Yes, I saw it inside your purse. The one who has an x mark?"

Vejah Katherine made a reaction like she was happy or relief about something. Nahimigan ko ang pagpigil niya ng tili.

"Yup, that's it. Thank, God. Nasa iyo ba? Ang sabi ng kaibigan ko, nung chineck nila pagkatapos mong ibigay, wala na rito."